The chill may be setting in, but that doesn’t mean you should strap yourself to a toasty heater until the outside world thaws out. There’s plenty that can be done not only to keep the circulation moving in those fingers and toes, but to hone new skills and have a blast doing it. All of these can be done alone or with a troupe of like-minded snow bunnies.
1. Get Some Wheels
Skateboarding, roller skating and rollerblading are a great way to keep the blood pumping and body warm, whilst staying fit and having fun. If you want to make a statement, companies like Penny Skateboards even allows customization and personalized skateboards from the wheels up. Take your transport of choice (and protective gear) down to the local park and practice, practice, practice – you’ll be whizzing around in no time. This hobby becomes particularly handy for nipping down to the shops, and translates into the summertime.
2. Hit the slopes
If you’re lucky enough to live where the heavens open and provide decent snow slopes, grab your nearest flat surface and race to the biggest hill in the vicinity. It’s amazing how much fun tobogganing can be, especially when you’re with a group of mates who love nothing more than a good stack. Investing in a pair of skis or a snowboard will leave you hanging out for wintertime to roll around.
Skiing is so much fun. Image courtesy of franky242 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
3. Indoor Sport
The cold often sends us scrambling for the indoors – luckily sport often follows suit. Most major sports have an indoor option, whether you’re socially or competitively minded. Netball, football, cricket and swimming all have undercover alternatives. If you’re missing the warmth, a few laps around the court will certainly quell your thirst.
Keep swimming at an indoor pool. Image courtesy of nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
4. Bikram Yoga
Another one for those wishing to work up a sweat in sub-zero temperatures, Bikram Yoga will keep the blood pumping. It involves performing strengthening postures in a room that’s heated to 40 degrees. Brilliant for weight-loss, and proven to relieve stress, you may actually be begging for the cold by the end of the session.
Yoga is a great way to exercise and tone up. Image courtesy of arztsamui / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
5. Ice Skating
Rug up and carve the ice this winter at your local rink. Admission fees and skate hire are generally cheap as chips, and its bucket loads of fun with a big group. Generally the staff get in on it by hosting games like Red Rover or tag – just be careful not to go in too hard too fast or you may wind up with a few nasty bumps and a wet behind. If you’re feeling game, try your hand at amateur ice-hockey or even take a few figure skating lessons – offered by most rinks.
Ice Skating is fun for the whole family. Image from FreeFoto.com
There are plenty of options to develop or hone new skills in the wintertime to keep the brain and body active. The great part about these hobbies is they can be honed all year round – but what better time to start than when you need to warm up most. There’s no reason to let the cold be the fun police of your wintertime.
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